HELP!!!!!!!! Possible reaction to flu jab????

[sar1980]

I had my flu jab last Saturday afternoon, and have not been able to stop itching since Saturday evening!!

I am scratching all over my abdomen, arms, sides and sometimes my thighs. It is seriously driving me mad as it is so constant, I'm making myself SOOO sore

[John_Mills Volunteer]

Hi, how are you this morning? Do you mean that it is a week since the jab?

It certainly sounds like a reaction to the vaccine or maybe to one of the other ingredients (preservatives etc)

Best thing is to see your GP (or find an emergency pharmacist) and get some antihistamines to suppress the itching.

Obviously if it persists and/or there is the slightest sign that it has re-activated your vasculitis, you must get in touch with your consultant.

[sar1980]

Thanks for your reply. It has been a week now and it's getting worse. I spoke to my GP on the phone last Thursday and he prescribed me some strong antihistamines and told me if it didn't help after a couple of days then to up the preds which is what I have had to do

[sar1980]

Well, after a horrible 4 weeks, backwards and forwards to the dermatologist, she has confirmed that what I had was an allergic reaction to the flu injection. It started the evening after I had it, as a persistent itch, which got worse,all over my abdomen,upper thighs upper arms and groin area. After 10 days, it then turned into a rash, then went bright red and incredibly painful, then turned excema-like, then finally, after 6 different creams, 4 different antihistamines and lots of tears, it has now retuned to normal! Now I have to decide when I next go for my usual check up whether or not to have to flu jab again or risk the effects if I don't!

[Deborah22]

I had my Flu jab Saturday morning and within a few hours had a hot sore arm, not like last year at all. By Monday Am developed a raised rash all across my chest and abdomen which looks like I've been scalded . Got a fever too, can't get warm . Taking paracetamol, to reduce my temp but the itching is driving me mad!

[sar1980]

Hi Deborah, I had a similar reaction 2 years ago. It started within 1 hr of me having the flu jab. I had been having the vaccine for the last 10-15 years with no problems, other than a bit of a sore arm occasionally. I could not stop scratching. It was all over my thighs, my abdomen, and eventually across my back also and drove me completely mad!!

I would suggest you go to your doctor tomorrow if it doesn't ease. Do you have any antihistamine you could take?

In the end, I had to call my clinic, and got seen, but was referred to a dermatologist. The rash and itching lasted for about 3 weeks before it started to ease I'm afraid to say.

My vasc consultant does not want me to have the flu jab any more now, as we don't know exactly what was in it that caused the reaction.

I hope you make a quick recovery xxx